Israel Matzav

Turkey seeks to deny Israel access to NATO missile data

Turkey is seeking to ensure that Israel is denied access to NATO data regarding the possession of ballistic missiles by rogue nations.

“Any data or information produced by this system will only be available to the alliance, as in the case for other alliance systems,” Yilmaz said in an email message to Defense News on June 12. “Information-sharing with non-NATO actors is subject to specific arrangements and it is possible only if the allies consensually agree on it.”

NATO agreed in a summit meeting in Lisbon two years ago to devise a missile defense system to protect alliance members from a rogue nation in the area. As part of the system, Turkey agreed to allow the U.S. military to install a special X-band radar at a base in Kurecik in southeastern Turkey.

Although there has been some discussion of sharing the radar’s data with Israel, the Turkish government likely would object if the alliance sought to do so. Former allies Israel and Turkey have become foes as a result of Turkey’s objections to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

Yilmaz also said his ultimate objective as defense minister would be the development of Turkey’s national defense industry.

If Mitt Romney wins the US elections, one of the first items on his agenda should be the reconstitution of NATO without any Islamist members.

Photoshop courtesy of MR, daughter # 3 child #5.

Labels: NATO, Turkish obsession with Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:40 PM